Finance Director Alix Heilala standing in front of Chatham Town Hall

Finance Director Heilala Retires

Finance Director Alix Heilala retires after 13½ years of service to Chatham on Wednesday, October 18th.

Under Ms. Heilala's stewardship the Town maintained its A AA bond rating by Standard & Poor's and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association for 2021.

The Town has benefited from her financial leadership with the completion of impactful capital projects while enjoying a consistently low tax rate.

While she is proud of those accomplishments, Ms. Heilala recently said her greatest professional achievement was making the sometimes complex world of municipal finance easy for community members to understand.

Prior to coming to Chatham, Ms. Heilala served as the Assistant Town Accountant in Eastham from 1997 to 2004 and in Provincetown as Town Accountant from 2004 to 2007 and as Finance Director/Town Accountant from 2007 to 2010 for a total of 26 years of municipal service in our region.

Professionally we will miss her institutional knowledge, insight, and creative thinking, of course, but we will also miss her personally as a colleague and valued member of Team Chatham. Please join us in wishing Alix smooth sailing in her retirement.

Outline of a fish and seaweed in a blue circle with the words Brewster Chatham Harwich Orleans around it

Pleasant Bay Climate Adaptation

By the end of the century, tide levels and water temperatures in Pleasant Bay are expected to increase due to climate warming. Without adaptation measures, the resulting effects could reduce shoreline resilience, limit public water access, damage infrastructure, and diminish natural resources such as eelgrass and salt marsh.

With a grant from the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, the Pleasant Bay Alliance is developing a Pleasant Bay Climate Adaptation Action Plan to identify ways to increase the Bay’s climate resilience. The Alliance has announced two opportunities for citizens to learn about potential climate impacts to Pleasant Bay and provide input on possible strategies to increase the Bay’s climate resilience.

Community Climate Forum

The Alliance is co-sponsoring the forum with Woods Hole Sea Grant, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service, Friends of Pleasant Bay, Friends of Chatham Waterways, Pleasant Bay Community Boating, Orleans Ponds Coalition and Chatham Climate Action Network on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center, 702 Main Street.

Presenters will include project partners Center for Coastal Studies, engineering firm Wright-Pierce, Woods Hole Sea Grant, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service, Boston University and Cape Cod National Seashore who will present research on estimated climate effects on the barrier beach and inner shoreline, coastal flooding, and impacts to public access and public infrastructure.

The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required.

Online Survey

The public is encouraged to complete a brief online community survey. The survey explores attitudes about potential climate related effects and various resilience strategies. Survey results will be shared at the October 21st forum.

Community Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 21st 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. at the Community Center

Sewer Construction/Road Work Update Oct. 16-20th

George Ryder Road

Over the next few weeks, Riley Brothers, an Eversource subcontractor, will be installing a new underground conduit and manhole duct bank system on George Ryder Road. The location of the work will be in the southern travel lane from approximately #209 to #107 George Ryder Road. Lane shifts will be utilized and no detours are expected. Work will be done during typical work hours of 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with an estimated duration of approximately four to six weeks depending on weather.

Bridge Street

Work on Bridge Street did not go as planned this week so it will continue. Milling and fine grading should be completed with binder course and driveway tie-ins. The contractor will return the following week to complete the top course of pavement.

Meetinghouse & Morton Road

Milling of the roadway in preparation for final paving is expected to commence on Meetinghouse Road on Wednesday, October 18th between the intersection with Route 28 and Stage Coach Drive. Work will be progressing north from the Route 28 intersection. It is expected that one lane will remain open, but if that is not feasible, a road detour utilizing Morton Road will be necessary. Police details and signage will be in place to assist motorists.

Water trench work is expected on Morton Road from Wednesday, October 18th through Friday, October 20^th. A Police detail will be on-site to assist residents with access.

CCTV work is expected to commence on Meetinghouse Road, followed by Middle Road and Morton Road. A Police detail(s) will be on-site in the vicinity of the work.

Site work will continue at Pump Station #3 (Meetinghouse Road) and Pump Station #4 (Twine Field Drive).

Drainage improvements will continue on Balfour Lane. A Police detail will be on-site to assist residents with access.

Crowell Road

Paving is expected to begin at the Department of Public Works front parking lot and then to the intersection of Tip Cart Drive near the intersection with Barcliff Avenue on Tuesday, October 17th. Traffic to be detoured. If a complete closure is necessary, traffic will be detoured via Crowell Road to Main Street to Old Harbor Road to Orleans Road to Stony Hill Road.

Queen Anne Pump Station

Site work at pump station (40 Queen Anne Road; south side of Queen Anne Road and Oyster Pond Furlong intersection) is expected to continue.

Public Information Session:

Temporary Flow Training Structures

The public is encouraged to attend an information session to review study results and selected alternative to address ongoing erosion of Crescent Beach on Morris Island and heightened shoaling at the entrance to Stage Harbor on Tuesday, October 24^th at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Town Office Annex, 261 George Ryder Road.

The proposed project is a unique approach which includes Installation of temporary “Flow Training Structures” along with beach nourishment to mitigate a complex problem associated with ongoing natural changes to the eastern barrier beach and inlets.

The study has been funded by three consecutive Coastal Zone Management Coastal Resiliency grants, and a fourth grant has been received to complete the permitting phase of the project. The Town is seeking public input and comment prior to submission of the initial permits. The grant is funding the permitting process only; any construction will require additional demonstration of need, public support, and policy directives by the Select Board.

silhouette of a house in green next to an overhead map of a neighborhood

West Chatham Neighborhood Center Zoning Forum Scheduled

The Planning Board welcomes your participation at an in-person Community Forum on Saturday, October 28^th at 11AM in the large meeting room at the Community Center, 702 Main Street, to discuss the proposed Protective (Zoning) Bylaw amendments to establish the West Chatham Neighborhood Center zoning district.

The input from residents, business owners, and others will inform the Planning Board of final amendments to the West Chatham Neighborhood Center district zoning. The Planning Board has held previous public forums and collected input to ensure the proposed changes are in alignment with the desired character for the area.

This work builds upon the recommendations received from the Route 28 Visioning Project completed in 2014 and subsequent efforts which studied the Route 28 corridor from the Crowell Road intersection to the Harwich town line with the goal of bringing the Town’s Protective Zoning Bylaw into conformance with the Town’s Long-Range Comprehensive Plan. The feedback from this community forum and the results of extensive previous studies and community outreach and engagement will inform a bylaw amendment for the West Chatham Neighborhood Center for Spring 2024 Town Meeting.

To best prepare for the Forum, the Planning Board requests those who intend to participate RSVP to Principal Planner Ryan Christenberry. All are encouraged to attend.

Assistance Program for rent or mortgage payments from Chatham Ecumenical Council

Private Roads Evaluated for Snow Removal

Annually, Public Works staff inspect and evaluate private roads for compliance with minimum standards to prevent damage to Town equipment during snow and ice removal. If private roads do not meet these requirements for the winter of 2023/2024, snow plowing and sanding services will not be provided.

Minimum Standards:

The travel lane of any road shall be no less than 12 feet wide.
Roadside clearance of any obstacles including vegetation shall be no less than 2 feet either side.
Height clearance shall be no less than 12 feet from the road surface
There must be ample room for emergency vehicles to turn around if the road is a dead end.
Paved or unpaved private roads shall have no defects (potholes or ruts) exceeding 2 inches in depth.
All private ways shall have a visible street sign and be open to the public.

A listing of roads that have failed this year's initial inspection is available on the Highway Division's website. Failed roads will be re-inspected in the first week of December to determine if they have been brought up to these minimum standards in order to receive snow plowing and sanding services this winter.

Pickleball racket resting on two pickleballs on an outdoor court

Pickleball Court Update

Work continues on the outdoor pickleball court construction on Stepping Stones Road.

This month paving of sidewalks and the topcoat on the courts and walkways will take place as well as the installation of exterior and interior fence posts. This work will complete Phase 1 of the project.

In the spring, several layers of topcoat will be applied to complete the Nova Cushion courts.

Cartoon image of a car passing a cyclist with a 4 foot distance between them

Vulnerable Road Users Law

The MA Vulnerable Road Users laws went into effect in the Commonwealth on April 1st.

Drivers need to provide a "safe passing distance" of at least 4 feet when passing vulnerable road users. Motorists are explicitly allowed to cross a double-yellow line in order to pass when it is safe to do so and in adherence with speed limits. MassDOT is required to install signage to this effect across the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts now defines "vulnerable users" of our roads to include people walking and biking; roadside workers; people using wheelchairs; motorized bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and other devices; horse riders and horse drawn carriages; and farm equipment.

FY2025 Budget Summit - October 17, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.

All are welcome to attend and participate in our open and public meetings. The agenda for each meeting is posted 48 business hours prior to the scheduled meeting time and can be accessed through the Select Board’s webpage.

Attend in-person at the Town Office Annex, Large Meeting Room. Join the meeting on-line or participate by phone by dialing 1-508-945-4410 and entering Conference ID 203 386 491#.

I. Consider Special One-Day Permits for Witches Walk, October 28, 2023 – Theresa Malone, Monomoy Community Services

A. One Day Entertainment Permit; Town Offices Parking Lot at 549 Main Street on October 28, 2023 from 6 – 8 pm and Chatham Beach and Tennis Club at 7 Main Street on October 28, 2023 from 8 – 10 pm

B. Special One-Day Alcohol Permit; Chatham Beach & Tennis Club 7 Main Street on October 28, 2023 from 8 – 10 pm; Chatham Cookware & Café 524 Main Street on October 28, 2023 from 6 – 8 pm; Lilly’s Diner 643 Main Street on October 28, 2023 from 6-8 pm October.

C. Tent Permit Fee Waiver; Tent at Chatham Beach & Tennis Club 7 Main Street on October 28, 2023

II. 12th Annual Town of Chatham Budget Summit for Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) – FY2025 An Encompassing Budget to Chart Chatham’s Future

A. State of the Town

1. Overview of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget; Strategic Budgeting for the Future

2. Year-to-Date Review/Projections; Revenue and Expenditures

B. Set the Stage for FY2025 Budget Decisions and Beyond – Discussion

1. Overview/Assumptions

2. Community Priorities

3. Inclusionary Municipal Budgeting

4. Finance Committee Supported Initiatives

5. Select Board Community Value Statements & Goals and Objectives and Review (Scheduled for October 31, 2023)

C. FY2025 Budget

1. Budget (Revenue and Expense) Forecasts

2. Critical Factors

a. Priorities/Policy Issues/Directives – Discussion

i. Funding/Service Priorities – Short-term and Long-term Funding Enhancements/Restrictions

ii. Taxpayer Assistance/Relief Initiatives as it Relates to the Budget

b. Education Assessments

i. Monomoy Regional School District – Operating Assessments and Capital Investment Needs; Chatham Elementary School

ii. Cape Cod Regional Technical High School

c. Other Funding/Priorities – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Opioid Recovery and Redemption Fund

D. FY2025 – 2029 Capital Improvement Plan/Program/Projects and Investment Strategy

1. 2024 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles

a. Water Supply/Wastewater Infrastructure – Capital Plan

b. Community Preservation Act Projects, including Affordable Housing Trust (CPC Applications due on November 1, 2023)

c. Attainable Housing (funded by Free Cash)

d. Other Town Funding Priorities/Projects

E. Debt Service Forecasts/Schedules

F. Recommendations and Reports Received – Review

1. Finance Committee

2. Summer Residents Advisory Committee (SRAC)

3. Chatham 365 Task Force – Recommendation Status

4. S&P Bond Rating – AAA (May 25, 2023); Efforts to Retain Highest Municipal Rating

5. Town Financial Policies Review/Update

G. FY2025 Budget Directive and Budget Review Process/Calendar

The Mainsheet

The name of our e-newsletter was selected from submissions by our community.
In nautical terms a mainsheet is the line connected to the boom which allows a sailor to control the speed of a boat. We think that is fitting for an e-newsletter that can be used to quickly send out important information to our community or at a more leisurely rate for less pressing matters. It reflects Chatham’s maritime history, is reminiscent of the front page of a newspaper, and it is a fun play on Main Street, where you go to be part of all that is happening in Town!

Town of Chatham website www.chatham-ma.gov